Maggie Messitt

Maggie Messitt is the Norman Eberly Professor of Practice in Journalism and Editorial Director of the Bellisario Media Center at Pennsylvania State University. She also serves as affiliate faculty in the School of International Affairs. With dual citizenship and decades of international experience, her career spans social entrepreneurship, journalism innovation, and media development in South Africa and the U.S.

Education: BA from Boston College (2001), MFA from Goucher College (2007), PhD from Ohio University (2017).

Her research focuses on:

• Journalism in underserved communities
• Training women journalists in post-apartheid South Africa
• Digital media engagement strategies
• Addressing news deserts through national service programs

Notable work includes:

• Founded Report for America (expanded to 60 journalists nationwide)
• Co-created award-winning community newspapers and literary magazines
• Pioneered prison-based writing programs

Recent projects: Two forthcoming books on journalism's role in societal issues and a deep-dive investigation into missing persons cases.